Preview: Accrington Stanley

All you need to know ahead of MK Dons' Sky Bet League Two clash with Accrington Stanley...

20 October 2023

MK Dons travel to the Wham Stadium on Saturday to take on Accrington Stanley in Mike Williamson’s first game as Head Coach.

MK Dons travel to the Wham Stadium on Saturday to take on Accrington Stanley in Mike Williamson’s first game as Head Coach.

Williamson began his Stadium MK reign earlier this week, taking charge of his first training session on Wednesday before travelling North with the squad on Friday ahead of this weekend’s match at the Wham Stadium.

As well as implementing his philosophy onto the group, the former Gateshead boss will also be looking to turn around the Dons’ form – a run of eight games without a league victory that has seen them fall from second to 16th in the Sky Bet League Two table.

Victory in his maiden outing on Saturday could see climb back up as many as five places. Williamson would also become the eighth MK Dons boss to win their first league fixture in charge of the Club.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

THE OPPOSITION
Accrington Stanley, relegated to Sky Bet League Two alongside MK Dons last season, sit ninth in the table after 13 games – the highest-placed of the four teams who came down from English football’s third tier.

John Coleman’s side have bounced back from a run of only one win in six, to put together three unbeaten games, including successive victories over Forest Green Rovers and Grimsby Town.

Their triumph over Forest Green was one of four they have enjoyed at the Wham Stadium so far this season – tied for the second-most home victories amongst League Two teams.

In terms of goals, Accy have scored 19 and conceded 18. Forward Josh Andrews leads the way on an individual level – he has found the net five times in 13 appearances, including three in his last two outings.

LAST TIME OUT
MK Dons conceded two stoppage-time goals as they drew 2-2 with Barrow at Stadium MK.

In what proved to be Graham Alexander’s final game as Head Coach, the Dons established a two-goal lead at half-time thanks to a brace from Max Dean – his first, a deflected effort from just inside the area, which was followed by a close-range header.

Dean’s double looked to have secured all three points but the visitors scored in both the 93rd and the 95th minutes to earn a share of the spoils and extend the Dons’ winless run to eight games.

Two late strikes saw Accrington Stanley secure a 2-0 victory over ten-man Grimsby Town at Blundell Park.

Grimsby went close to opening the scoring in the first half but the home side then had Luke Waterfall sent off for two bookable offences, his second coming with 18 minutes left to play.

That swung the momentum in Accrington’s favour and they took advantage, taking the lead through Shaun Whalley just two minutes later, with Josh Andrews then scoring to double the advantage and seal victory.

FIGHTING TALK
Mike Williamson: “(Accrington) will be really tough. They're energetic, very physical, and they have a manager who is hugely experienced and knows how to win games.

“Results are the outcome of good preparation, and if we can get a result it will be fantastic, and it will gives us all a boost.”

John Coleman: "(Mike Williamson) has good credentials, he knows the game and I wish him all the best, just not on Saturday.

"You accept it will be something different, their players will be hearing a different voice and it often has the desired effect, but we have to play the way we know we can.”

TEAM NEWS
MK Dons can welcome back Daniel Harvie after the left-back served his one-match suspension for accumulating five yellow cards.

Harvie’s return boosts a defence that was without Anthony Stewart and Dean Lewington last weekend. Nathan Harness and Ash Hunter also remain sidelined for Mike Williamson as he gets set to pick his first MK Dons XI.

DH Wrexham ODDS 05.08.23 HI res_.jpg

Accrington Stanley look set to remain without goalkeeper Toby Savin after they extended the emergency loan spell of Norwich City stopper Jon McCracken for a further seven days.

Captain Seamus Conneely and Liam Coyle haven’t featured for Stanley since 16 September due to injuries while Seb Quirk is out long-term with a serious hamstring problem.

OFFICIALS
Simon Mather is set to run the rule over Saturday’s clash at the Wham Stadium.

The third-year EFL official has overseen eight matches so far this term, producing 46 yellow cards and a total of seven red cards. He has yet to award a penalty.

simon mather.jpg

Saturday will be only the second time he has taken charge of an MK Dons fixture. He marshalled an Emirates FA Cup tie with Stevenage back in November 2021, showing just two yellow cards that afternoon at Stadium MK.

His assistant referees are Danny Jarvis and Joe Simpson while the fourth official is Jack Forder.

HEAD TO HEAD
MK Dons wins: 7
MK Dons wins at the Wham Stadium: 3
Last MK Dons win: 1-0, 18 Mar 2023 (Wham Stadium)
Biggest MK Dons win: 5-0, 8 Dec 2007 (Stadium MK)

Draws: 2
Draws at the Wham Stadium: 1
Last draw: 1-1, 20 Aug 2022 (Stadium MK)

Accrington Stanley wins: 2
Accrington Stanley wins at the Wham Stadium: 2
Last Accrington Stanley win: 2-1, 5 Dec 2020 (Wham Stadium)
Biggest Accrington Stanley win: 2-1, 5 Dec 2020 (Wham Stadium); 2-1, 31 Aug 2019 (Wham Stadium)

ELSEWHERE IN SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
Newport County v Walsall, Friday 7.45pm
Tranmere Rovers v Doncaster Rovers, Friday 7.45pm
Barrow v AFC Wimbledon
Bradford City v Wrexham
Colchester United v Harrogate Town
Crawley Town v Crewe Alexandra
Gillingham v Notts County
Mansfield Town v Forest Green Rovers
Salford City v Swindon Town
Stockport County v Grimsby Town
Sutton United v Morecambe

FOLLOW IT LIVE
Tickets are now only available to buy at the Wham Stadium, priced at £20 adults, £15 over-64s/students, £10 12-17s and £5 under-12s. Tickets can be bought from the Away Ticket Booth at the entrance to the car park at the Wham Stadium.

Can't make the game? Supporters can LISTEN to this fixture live on iFollow MK Dons for £2.50 - to purchase an Audio Match Pass CLICK HERE!

Live text updates will also be provided on the Match Centre as well as Twitter, while a full report will be available to read shortly after the full-time whistle. Post-match reaction and highlights will follow after.

Match Reports

Report: Accrington Stanley 1-0 MK Dons

MK Dons suffer defeat at the Wham Stadium…

21 October 2023

MK Dons fall short at the Wham Stadium after Accrington Stanley’s Shaun Whalley separated the sides through the only goal scored within the Sky bet League Two fixture.

Mike Williamson took his first game in charge of the Dons as the team faced Accrington Stanley in a Sky Bet League Two clash at the Wham Stadium.

Mo Eisa and Warren O’Hora made their return to the starting XI, much the same as Daniel Harvie, who was reintroduced into the squad following his suspension served last weekend.

FIRST-HALF
A promising chance arose for MK Dons within the opening minute of the match. Max Dean, who gathered the ball in the centre of Accrington’s final-third located Mo Eisa in-behind the defensive line. The number ten just couldn’t quite keep his shot down with the first attempt of the game.

The travelling team continued to search for the front two in Max Dean and Mo Eisa, another attacking threat was created, but a few loose touches would see the chance fall through.

Accrington then answered back as they progressed up the other end of the field, this led to the first free-kick of the game. The set-piece seemed too far out for an attempt at goal, so the hosts opted to work the ball into the box instead, Gilbey was called upon to clear the delivery.

Joe Tomlinson would see the next shot of the game, but his strike on the edge of the area would be unintentionally thwarted by his own teammate.

13 minutes into the tie, Accrington Stanley saw their first shot on target. Joe Pritchard’s low effort was matched by a strong hand from the Dons number one, who denied what could’ve been an early setback.

A creative move almost sparked an incredible opening for Mike Williamson’s men. Fortunately for the Accy, Rosaire Longelo was able to intercept Max Dean’s flick through intended for Eisa. It might’ve caused real trouble for the home side without Longelo’s defensive presence.

On the 30-minute mark, Accrington Stanley opened the scoring. Shaun Whalley found the ball at his feet before his stop and turn granted him enough space for a shot at goal. MacGillivray was helpless to meet with it in his diving attempt as Whalley’s effective effort found the top-left corner of the net. 1-0

Max Dean continued to search for the runs in behind Accrington’s rear-guard and was successful in his attempts at doing so. However, the home side matched each advance as they reacted rapidly to every oncoming threat.

MK Dons tried to find an equaliser within the first half of action. Mo Eisa looked set to score, but the Accy defenders swarmed the striker, which made it difficult for him to find the target within the peanlty area.

Minutes later, Cameron Norman had eyes for goal from close-range as it looked destined for the Dons to draw level. Alas, an awkward bounce resulted in a handball against Norman, which saw the chance diminish.

MK Dons trailed by one as both teams were signalled for the break.

SECOND-HALF
A sharp start to the second 45 minutes would’ve seen Mo Eisa through one-on-one, but the forward hit the deck during his advances. The referee denied any appeals for a foul or possible red card offence.

Accrington came close to a second, but a pivotal stop from MacGillivray turned away a close-range headed attempt at goal.

Mike Williamson made his first change of the game during the 53^rd minute, which saw Ethan Robson take to the field in place of Mo Eisa.

A short-corner routine was played consistently by the Dons throughout the fixture. 54 minutes in, Payne played a pass in towards the front post for the head of O’Hora. However, the connection from the defender saw the bounce of the ball loop over and behind the goal.

Another scare arose from an Accrington Stanley corner, Craig MacGillivray produced an incredible reaction stop from close-range to turn away a stabbed attempt at goal following a goalmouth scramble. During the process, Harvie was fouled, but the ‘keeper wass none the wiser until after his heroics.

MK Dons then ventured forward as the ball made its way around the middle of the field before it found Gilbey on the left of the pitch. The Captain poised to shoot, but his curled attempt couldn’t cause trouble for Jon McCracken.

Another set-piece from the corner flag benefitted the visitors – this time, Tommy Smith would connect with the delivery, but his glancing header snuffed out the Dons' hopes for an equaliser as it was cleared off the goal-line.

Williamson made two further changes with the intent to increase the attacking threat for MK Dons as fresh legs in both Matt Dennis and Jonathan Leko took to the field. The two attacking players replaced were Max Dean and Jack Payne.

Mike Williamson’s Dons didn’t hault in their pursuit to find an equaliser, which saw most of the play occur within the home side’s half. However, McCracken wasn’t called upon frequently, and as a result, MK Dons couldn’t find the goal they so desperately went in search for.

***

MK Dons: MacGillivray, Norman, O’Hora, Williams, Gilbey (C), Eisa (Robson 53), Payne (Leko 78), Tomlinson, Smith, Dean (Dennis 74), Harvie

Subs: Kelly, Tucker, Ilunga, Devoy

Yellow cards: Harvie 56

Accrington Stanley: McCracken, Rich-Baghuelou (Gubbins 70), Mellor, Hills, Whalley, B Woods (Leigh 45), Pritchard (C), Longelo, Nolan (J Woods 70), Andrews, Martin

Subs: McIntyre, Shipley, Conneely, Adedoyin

Goals: Whalley 30

Yellow cards: Woods 40, Whalley 61

Attendance: 1,995 (208)

Referee: Simon Mather

Stadium: Wham Stadium